Fall Preparation for Sports Fields
Managing athletic fields is a year-round process. In fact, there are certain seasonal management practices that need to take place. This article will address various practices that need to be done in the fall.
Cool Season Turf
Fall is a primary time of growth for the cool season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. It is the time when judicious care will prepare the grass for winter dormancy. Fall is also the time when athletic fields get the most use. Following are a few things you can do to ensure healthy turfgrass as summer wanes and throughout the entire season.
First of all, you need to start preparing your fields in mid to late summer for the fall season. A late July/early August application of a of slow release nitrogen fertilizer at 3/4 lb. per 1,000 square feet will provide the turf with nutrients it needs to recover from summer stress without making it too “lush” and susceptible to disease or tear out. In late August/early September, you should apply 1 lb. of a combination slow/quick release nitrogen fertilizer to keep grass growing vigorously.
Second, monitor your water carefully. In general, you want to water deep and infrequently, especially as the temperatures cool down at night. This forces roots to “chase” the water deeper into the soil providing stability. Early fall is a very prolific root growth stage for turfgrass; the more you can do to encourage deep rooting, the better your fields will hold up to the traffic. You should also try to go into games with the fields on the dry side. Not so dry that they are hard and dusty, but dry enough that the grass does not tear out easily. Moisture management is the key to having good quality turf all season on your fields.
Third, keep a lot of seed on your fields. As practice and play begins in late summer, overseed generously with perennial ryegrass when divots begin to appear. Even putting seed down prior to games and letting the players “cleat” it into the soil will help. You’ll be surprised at how much of this seed germinates and survives.
Aerificaton
Sports turf fields are exposed to many conditions that result in stress of the plants. High-traffic areas (soccer goal mouth, between hash marks on football fields, path from dugout to home plate, etc) are exposed to stress caused by soil compaction and poor soil conditions. Core aerification can help manage these problems by loosening the soil makeup and providing a better root zone-growing medium.
Soil compaction reduces plant root growth and will eventually lead to turf decline. Weak, thin turf becomes more susceptible to pest problems like disease and insects. Compacted soil also prevents nutrients, water, and air from reaching the root zone. The result of heavy traffic causes a loss of pore space in the soil structure, which, in turn, causes a decrease in oxygen in the soil. This causes significant stress and damage to the plant as all plant root functions require oxygen. The end result is weaker roots, thinning turf, poor and possibly unsafe playing conditions of the field.
Modifying the soil profile through aerification will help relieve soil compaction and help in restoring the soil pore space. Aerification has many significant benefits and a few disadvantages; however, the benefits significantly outweigh the disadvantages.
Benefits
* Relieves soil compaction
* Reduces thatch build-up
* Promotes microbial activity
* Improves water, oxygen and nutrient movement in the soil
* Stimulates root growth
* Helps fertilizer and lime incorporation in the soil
* Aids pesticide and wetting agents incorporation in the soil
* Helps with surface drainage
* Helps establish seed to soil contact when over seeding
* Promotes faster fall recovery of turf from summer stresses
* Softens the field surface for safer playing conditions
* Allows for topdressing soil amendments to improve soil conditions
Disadvantages
* May interfere with Pre-emergent Herbicide performance if done prior to application
* Possible injury under moisture or stress due to improper timing on stressed turf
* Disruption of turf appearance (temporary), aerification plugs can be removed
It is best to aerate in the spring and fall when plant growth is vigorous and the soil moisture is higher. It is beneficial to prepare the turf prior to core aeration for best results. An application of a balance N-P-K fertilizer and adequate moisture will help promote root growth and allow for a quicker recovery.
Aerification is an effective cultural practice for the promotion of healthy playing surfaces and should be incorporated into your sports turf management programs. Extremely heavy traffic areas benefit from two to four aerations annually.
Irrigation System “Tune-Ups”
As summer winds down and the various athletic fields are still in high demand, it is a good time to check the actual efficiency of your irrigation system. Constant play, hard surfaces, hot and sunny days, and poor soils are factors in fields’ safety. But, if an irrigation system is installed and these problems still persist, it could also be attributed to the actual, physical condition of the system.
If there are brown, consistent circles encompassing the sprinkler heads on the field, a quick “tune-up” could be all that’s required.
Perform a visual working check of the sprinklers. Turn them on and make sure there are no broken parts, leaks, etc.
Check pressures with a gauge to make sure they are operating at the most efficient pressure. Large droplets mean LOW pressure; small, misting drops mean HIGH pressures. Ask a local distributor and/ or contractor to help if needed.
Are the sprinklers buried too low? So, when the water comes on, does the stream go directly into the grass or dirt instead of spraying up and over? Are they crooked due to heavy equipment always running over them?
Are the arcs of the sprinklers adjusted correctly? Are they all rotating? Do they all have nozzles installed? Are they matched for precipitation?
If the turf seems too “wet” in different spots, another simple “tune-up” could help. When systems are not applying water evenly (due to problems mentioned above), dry, hard, brown spots occur. “The Dry Spot Drives the System” is very true. Typically, the electric controller gets additional time added to the irrigation run-time, with hopes of making the brown spots turn green. The problem is that the other areas get excessive water, thus making the field wet and unsafe. Furthermore, it promotes disease and pests.
Check the controller for actual run-times programmed for the different turf areas. Do similar zones have the same run-time?
In the fall, it can be quite hot and then change overnight. The controller needs to be adjusted to match these climatic changes.
Some controllers allow zones of sprinklers to increase run-times in percentages. Check to see if this is possible and adjust accordingly.
If there are “hot spots” (dry turf), try hand watering where necessary until the season ends; specifically if the system cannot be “tuned-up” at this time. Rather than running all the heads on a zone (over-watering) just to hit a specific dry spot.
Aerate “hot spots” by hand or machine and then apply water. It can now infiltrate into the soil and, hopefully, reach the root structure.
Check with a local extension agent and/ or university to find out the best possible watering times for your geographic area. Is it night? Morning? Early evening? Of course, it also depends upon time of play on the field…something many have no control over!
Most importantly, find your local irrigation distributor, manufacturer’s representatives, and professional contractors and consultants in the area. They can provide invaluable and usually free advice on any of these situations and resolutions. One thing is for sure—efficient irrigation practices can help improve safety and provide year-round playability.
This article is courtesy of the Sports Turf Committee for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), www.niaaa.org.
Case Study: Using Low-Maintenance Athletic Flooring
Culpeper Christian School in Culpeper, Virginia, is a non-denominational, evangelical Christian school serving students in 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade. It is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE).
Culpeper Christian School was started in 1976 and opened in its current location in 1990. In 2006, work began to increase the facility’s size from 10,000 to 25,000 square feet to accommodate its growing student enrollment. The new space was used immediately, since enrollment increased from 120 students in 2006 to 165 for the 2007-2008 school year and is expected to reach 185 in September 2008.
Administrators at the Culpeper Christian School (CCS) knew Taraflex Sports Flooring was essential for their planned addition. They understood Taraflex’s cleanliness and maintenance advantages.
“The Taraflex flooring is bacteria free and much easier to maintain than the carpet we removed,” explains Ronald Musselman, vice president of the CCS Board. “Like all schools, we are aware of the potential problems of mold, cleanliness, and indoor air quality. We wanted to prevent any of these types of problems from developing and to give our students the best indoor environment possible. We wanted to pick the best flooring product for our school.”
Students in the expanded school can walk, play or sit on Taraflex Sports Flooring by Gerflor. In the new 8,000-square-foot gym, Taraflex Multi-Use 5.0 Oak Design with blue game lines was installed.
Taraflex Multi-Use 5.0 is five millimeters thick. Its manufacturing process includes proprietary product treatments to simplify maintenance and reduce the risk of friction burns. Multi-Use 5.0 is exceptionally durable with built-in comfort, shock absorption, and noise level reduction plus accurate ball bounce and traction for pivoting and sliding. It contains up to 43% recycled material and can be fully recycled at the end of its lifespan. Multi-Use 5.0 comes in two natural wood tones and 11 other colors.
Sandra Goodall, who is in charge of maintenance at CCS, agrees with Musselman and is pleased to have Taraflex flooring in the building.
“Taraflex cleans so well just with a wet mop,” says Goodall. “If you use the correct amount of detergent with the automatic scrubber, the floor shines. I can clean the gym in just about an hour, and that’s a full-size basketball court plus another half-size court.”
Taraflex versatility and durability is evident in the gym, which functions as the auditorium and cafeteria.
“The gym is really multipurpose with plays, assemblies, basketball, and tennis games,” says Musselman, who also served as construction site supervisor. “We needed something to handle all these activities.”
“Culpeper administrators knew their priorities when they installed Taraflex flooring,” says Nicolas Bauer, U.S. sports marketing manager. “They chose flooring that cleans easily with water and an environmentally safe detergent and is permanently treated to help prevent bacteria and mold growth, resist stains, food spills, and accumulation of dirt and dust.”
CCS is not the only school in Culpeper, Virginia, with Taraflex. Three of the district’s public schools also have Taraflex floors in their gyms.
Gerflor Sports Flooring, LLC. is the exclusive agent for Taraflex Sports Flooring, www.gerflortaraflex.com. The Taraflex flooring was installed by Warthan Associates, Inc. of Chester, Virginia, www.warthan.com.
Sidebar
Preventing MSRA in School Athletic Facilities
The reports have been frightening: A drug-resistant microbe, apparently spread in schools, killed three children in a two-week period and sent dozens more in 16 states to the hospital. The press calls it the Staph “Superbug.”
It’s really MRSA—Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurelus.
MRSA lives harmlessly in the noses and on the skin of millions of people, but can cause serious harm if it enters the body through a cut and reaches the bloodstream.
Intense media coverage of MRSA in schools highlights a critical issue. Schools are a logical breeding ground as children share desks, books, and lockers.
Gymnasiums and locker rooms are at a greater risk as the warm, moist environments and high volume of student activity allow infection to spread easily.
In light of this, it is recommended that school administrators manage their athletic areas with the same strategies used in hospitals.
While many news outlets are recommending cleaning with bleach and water solutions, Gina Accola, Mueller Sports Medicine’s director of quality systems says that there are better alternatives that have been tested on specific organisms.
“We’ve conducted testing on the specific viruses, organisms, bacteria, and fungi that we’re talking about today,” Accola said.
University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Head Athletic Trainer Dennis Helwig agrees. “With bleach, we worry about a combination of fumes from multiple cleaning products,” he said.
How to Avoid It
* Clean commonly touched areas
* Wash hands often using soap and water or hand sanitizer
* Use air blowers or paper towels rather than shared towels
* Don't share personal items such as soap, razors or clippers
* Wash linens and clothing in detergent and water for 25 minutes or more
* Wash injured skin
Mueller Sports Medicine is the manufacturer of Whizzer, a highly concentrated disinfectant that kills MRSA when sprayed on hard surfaces, www.muellersportsmed.com.
Product Roundup: Athletic Facilities
Pioneer Custom Stencils
Pioneer’s Custom Stencils will transform your gridiron into a living, breathing part of the game. Custom team logos, mascots or special occasion artwork will make your field the pride of your school. An eye-catching team logo is easy and affordable. With Pioneer’s new stencil technology, you can create any stencil design in any size. These stencils are now made in a variety of materials with fewer pieces and pre-marked for trouble–free assembly. Pioneer’s stencils are lightweight and easy for one person to handle and clean for many years of use.
www.pioneerathletics.com
Bison Portable Soccer Goals
Many high school soccer programs share facilities with football and other activities. In these cases, it is vital that portable soccer goals are compatible with permanently installed football goalposts. Bison makes it an easy fit. All official size (24'x 8') Bison Shootout Soccer portable goals are compatible with gooseneck football goals. Compatibility allows soccer goals to be placed in front of gooseneck football goal posts by repositioning the soccer goal's rear horizontal stabilizer bar. Now both sports can easily use of the same goal line. This is especially critical for fields with permanently painted field markings.
www.bisoninc.com
Robbins Pulastic Floors
Pulastic floors deliver decades of durability and superior wear resistance for any indoor application. All Pulastic systems feature high-quality polyurethane resin and a resurfaceable wear layer, providing ideal traction, correct ball rebound and excellent shock and sound absorption. Pulastic floors meets LEED Certification requirements for use of recycled products and are free of mercury, lead and other heavy materials. Pulastic is strong enough to stand up to heavy tables, chairs and bleacher loads, all while offering a surface that is comfortable and long lasting.
www.robbinsfloor.com
Electra Tarp
Electra Tarp has been providing protective field coverings to schools throughout the country for 33 years. The company’s athletic mound and plate covers, as well as field covers and football sideline tarps, protect competition fields and surrounding areas. Electra Tarp offers numerous sizes and weights to fit specific needs. Mound and plate covers are grommetted every two feet for secure and easy installation. They stop erosion when watering and minimize the amount of infield maintenance for these critical areas. All covers are custom fabricated to a school’s specific needs.
www.electratarp.com
Royal Basket Trucks
Royal Basket Trucks has been manufacturing cart solutions for material handling since 1981. Their canvas, vinyl and poly trucks and carts are utilized in schools and athletic facilities. The Royal product line offers basket trucks and carts for use in general storage, as well as specialty carts for recycling and sorting. Basket trucks are available in heavy-duty white canvas or 12 colors of super-strong vinyl. The poly trucks offer a more durable molded tub on the same unique hardwood base. All trucks and carts utilize non-marking polyurethane casters. Various sizes are available.
www.royal-basket.com
Daktronics Tuff Sport Scoreboards
Daktronics Tuff Sport scoreboards are engineered for superior durability. A load-distributing construction and 25 percent thicker aluminum allow Tuff Sport scoreboards to withstand hits from indoor sports balls traveling in excess of 40 miles per hour. Daktronics offers several options to create scoreboards suited for each facility’s needs. Options include programmable team name message centers and decorative accents. Boost excitement in your facility by adding a programmable message center.
www.daktronics.com
